Ask Kayla Quinn

That depends on a lot of factors, ranging from choosing the right plastic surgeon to following after-procedure instructions to over-all general health before the surgery! Let's go back and address some of the major causes for decreased sensitivity.

First and foremost: Research your plastic surgeon WELL. Most have a consultation fee, ranging anywhere between $100 to $500. Obviously your geographical area influences this to some degree. With each doctor charging a consultation fee of $250, I still managed to rack up $1000 in consultation fees before finding the plastic surgeon I felt best qualified to perform my procedure. The surgeon I finally decided on not only answered all of my questions (trust me, I had a LOT of them) thoroughly, he also let me contact former patients of his (these patients had volunteered to be references for situations like this) in order to ask them about his skill, compassion, professionalism, etc. I also made sure that I chose a doctor who belonged to The American Board of Plastic Surgery, The American Board of Medical Specialties and The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Anything that is surgically placed inside my body permanently, I want to have done once and have it done right!

Consider the proposed incision point as well, the further from the implants the incisions, the more nerves they have to go through to get them in place! I have heard stories of implant insertion incisions being done through the navel, under the arm, under the actual breast (WAY old-school) and at the pigment line where the areaola meets the breast. I had my incisions (both my original breast augmentation and my reconstructive surgery after a skiing accident) done at my areolas. By limiting the number of nerves encountered by the surgeon, I limited the amount of potential nerve damage. My nipples are still incredibly sensitive! I still get little shirt pebbles every time a cool breeze blows.

Careful adherence to the post-op instructions given you by your doctor will increase the chances of a speedy and complete recovery. While your tissue is healing, the propensity to unwittingly cause further damage is at its highest. The body needs to heal, synapses reconnect...well, you get my point! If you've just had someone slice you open, force foreign objects in to your body and permanently seal them in there... common sense dictates you take it easy for a while! Follow even the silly sounding instructions. What sounds silly today can mean the difference between nice, round breasts and angry, missile-shaped disasters stuck on your chest!

Hate to say it, but...smokers...you will heal more slowly! Sorry. Not my fault! Same goes for you druggies and alcoholics! *giggle* If you are a smoker, try to quit for a few months before and after you get your new hooters. Your general health (and even some genetics) come in to play here. Eat crappy food a lot? You'll probably have a crappy recovery! Good musculature? Good framework for big fun bags! Get in shape before you buy your new shapes!

While the temptation to rip off the bandages, squeeze into a tube top and show off your new melons, resist it with all of your might! First of all, the new pockets cut in to your chest to hold those implants in place need to heal. You'd be surprised how heavy even moderate-sized saline implants can be. If that is not enough to sway you, remember this: It takes a few weeks for swelling to subside and your implants to settle. For the first month or so, you will most likely feel as though you are walking around with your tits bouncing against your chin...

If you cannot afford to be picky about who does your procedure, if you cannot find room in your budget for a second or even third consultation visit, you cannot afford your new boobs yet. Boobs are a privilege, not a right! *giggle*

Good luck!